“In Jesus’ day, the story of God came into its own. Jesus’ contemporaries believed, because their ancient prophets had told them so, that their God had promised to live in their midst, in the Jerusalem Temple, which was the lineal descendant of Solomon’s Temple, which was itself the successor to the wilderness tabernacle constructed by Moses. But–again, as the prophets had said—Israel’s God had abandoned the Temple at the time of the exile to Babylon. Ever afterwards, the same prophets had promised that he would one day return.” (“Who Should Be King?”, Simply Jesus,  N. T. Wright, p. 40-41)

The scriptures say it again and again – “The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple” (Malachi 1) What would it mean for us, today, in America, for us to have Jesus live in our midst? What would that look like, do you think? What if we, Christians, people of Christ, were following Jesus as he walked this land – preached his Gospel of love and forgiveness – and healed people at an unprecedented rate?

There are various “spiritual healers” in our land who claim to have the ability to heal – either through prayers, invisible surgeries, and other “folk medicines”. People flock to them with money and hope – and there is no lack of followers who are convinced of their ability to heal. They may have the ability to heal – and they may have a message of love and forgiveness – but does their ability come from G-d? Or are they just really good charlatans? We are told to expect Jesus to come again – it is a promise that we continue to live in – the same promises that the Israelites placed their hope—one day he will come. Be alert. Be prepared.

Pastor Dave